Spyderco Forums

** I omitted the back lock. Fixed. **

Note that I said “preference”, not best, strongest or any of that. You may of course state the reason or reasons for your preference. To remove other factors, consider only one knife offered with those four lock types shown in the poll, like a Para 2, or Delica.

You can only vote for one. Yet you can change your vote at any time.

My preference is the compression lock. It is stronger than any sane task it might be put to, engages positively, releases easily with one motion and protects your finger(s) from being cut whist closing. Although, humans as we are, someone, somewhere with figure out how to defeat this feature.

No backlock? Backlock is best lock. My preference of course.

steelcity16 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:11 am

No backlock? Backlock is best lock. My preference of course.

hahaha!!! a lot of people are about to be upset over this one.

the compression lock is my favorite, but i have knives in most of the locks offered by spyderco and none are bad. cbbl is probably second. however, i do also enjoy the simplicity of the backlock on my pac salt for when it gets sandy in the ocean.

the one knife that is my preferance is the manix 2 followed by pm2s

in order from most liked to least
cbbl
compression lock
liner lock
frame lock
bolt lock
axis lock
slip joint
and dont like at all lockback, midlock.

Im sure fidgeters and people who care about how smooth deployment is would love this.

But people who work with their knives already know backlocks are the best option.

Pool is missing one if the best out there: backlock.

In order: backlock, CBBL............. compression lock.

Don't care for framelock, linerlock.
No personal experience with Stop lock, but that could be good too.

Where is the Backlock?

For me personally clearly the most versatile in use, safest and most comfortable to use in any condition (so also in harsher, cold, wet finger- outdoor use)

And by that certainly my preferred type of lock.

MichaelScott wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:06 am

....
My preference is the compression lock. It is stronger than any sane task it might be put to, engages positively, releases easily with one motion and protects your finger(s) from being cut whist closing. Although, humans as we are, someone, somewhere with figure out how to defeat this feature.

Both backlock and CBBL can also be closed with fingers all the time completely out of the blade path no problem.

Plus, in any other closing method they are safer for the fingers than the comp lock (due to the blade not being "floppy").

Also easier to use in not too ideal conditions imho.

Compression is my choice because I like the ease of use when going about my daily tasks. There is a bit of a fidget factor too that is kind of neat. 90% of the time or more it's great.

But on the occasions that I decide to do some tougher cutting, requiring considerable force applied to the back of the knife, I find it a bit uncomfortable. In that case, I like the caged ball lock. Nothing wrong with a backlock either though.

As already mentioned, poll is flawed missing the back lock.
I chose compression lock out of the available alternatives, but really it's a coin toss for me between (well executed) frame lock, liner lock or comp. lock. I think it's the "well executed" bit that tipped the scale for me since i haven't owned a quirky comp. lock knife, but i have had less than stellar frame lock and liner lock knives.

The Native 5 Salt has made me a fan of back locks. I like the RIL for the simplicity of no liners and a thick slab of metal for mounting clip screws. I still want a Sage with an integral comp like the first gen ATR.

Since the past has shown that this topic can easily lead to rather heated discussions , let me add: I DO like the comp lock, I admire it's design, I'd still take most Spyderco comp. lock knives over almost any backlock knife of another brand, but when asked explicitly my ranking is: Backlock...CBBL.........linerlock...framelock.....comp.lock.

None of the above.

I have a very strong preference for the midlock and virtually all the Spydercos I carry use it. Hand neutral, strong enough for anything I'd do with a folding knife, allows handle symmetry, and works equally well with any handle and scale material from a one piece unlined FRN handle to exotic natural material scales and timascus bolsters over titanium liners.

Backlock=Compression>R.I.L>Liner>Feces>C/BBL
:D

I love the Comp and Backlock. I don't know that I can easily decide between the two.

I chose the Walker liner lock, but the back lock is my preference.

Edit: vote changed to back lock.

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 05, 2020 3:53 am

Since the past has shown that this topic can easily lead to rather heated discussions

You can be sure that this thread will bring some emotions :D
I have my popcorn ready :D

Don’t really care what lock a knife has. More of a look and materials than lock.
Think I have had every lock ever made over the years and never had a issue using or getting used to one.

Most knives I buy nowadays don’t have a lock ( commonly called the fixed lock )

My order of preference currently is:

Back lock
Slip joint
.
.
Comp lock (held back for me since there's only one left hand version)
CBBL (limited model options)
.
.
Liner and Frame locks (Again, only one lefty option)

Truth is they're all good, but back locks and slip joints are what I've gravitated towards due to a confluence of subjective factors.

I voted cbbl, because I think it's the coolest! But I love the comp and spydercos backlock as well (at least on my Native Chief!)

I genuinely do not think I have a lock preference.